Terriers hold off Cougars

Wednesday

Dec 19, 2012 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patino

ed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — Devin Conley and Kitcimakwa Williams proved the needed 1-2 punch for the Litchfield High School boys basketball team.The duo combined for 55 points and recorded double-doubles in the process as the Terriers held on for their first victory over the season, a thrilling 72-69 victory over the Will Carleton Academy Cougars in a non-conference game.Litchfield (1-3) used its height advantage to take control of the game in the second half, generating several second-chance points to build a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Will Carleton (1-3) didn't go quietly as Joel Wheeler and Chase Harrington sparked a late rally.A layup by Wheeler and three-pointer from Dane Williams pulled the Cougars to within 67-65 with 43 seconds remaining. After an exchange of free throws, Conley went 3-of-4 from the charity stripe in the final 10 seconds before the Terriers prevented Will Carleton from getting off a last-second shot."We hit some big shots at the end, and we work on pressure free throws in practice," Litchfield coach Karl Drake said. "The kids stepped up, and we rebounded much better in the second half. Will Carleton performed very well and played with a lot of heart."The Terriers held a seven-point lead lead at halftime and maintained their edge for most of the third quarter. A pair of inside baskets by Kitci Williams gave Litchfield a 46-39 lead, but a putback by Ben Baxter and four points from Wheeler pulled the Cougars to within one with just over a minute left in the frame. Kitci Williams score another inside basket before Wheeler banked in a shot with 21 seconds left, making it 48-47 entering the fourth quarter.Conley took over at the start of the final frame. The 6-9 junior connected for a pair of three-pointers to spark a 12-1 run. Kitci Williams capped the surge with a putback, giving Litchfield a 60-48 lead."They were big and they wore us down in the second half," Will Carleton coach Brian Clark said. "It's hard to defend their size, especially when they make shots like that. But our kids kept fighting and I can't ask for more than that."Wheeler answered with a layup for Will Carleton, then Dane Williams buried a missile midway through the quarter. Kitci Williams and Conley built Litchfield's lead back to 11, but Harrington's three-pointer and a free throw by Leondre Quallo brought the Cougars to within 65-58.Will Carleton used its speed to negate the Terriers size in the first quarter and jumped to a 16-9 lead. Litchfield recovered in the later part of the frame and closed to within four."We felt that if we could get up the floor quickly we would have a better opportunity," Clark said.Litchfield turned the tide in the second quarter. With the Cougars cooling off, the Terriers went on a 16-5 run in the frame and carried a 30-23 lead into halftime."(Will Carleton) played to their strengths, and they have some good outside shooters," Drake said. "We made a couple of defensive adjustments and started recognizing their shooters."Conley finished with a game-high 33 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Terriers. Kitci Williams added 22 points and 10 rebounds, hile Colt Tefft had 13 points and nine rebounds. Wyatt Langhann dished out six assists."Devin is a special player and we want to demonstrate all the different aspects of his game," Drake said. "Kitci did a nice job in the backcourt, and Wyatt had some big free throws for us at the end."Wheeler finished with 21 points and three assists to lead the Cougars. Harrington added 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Dane Williams scored 14 points. Baxter had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists."Chase makes good decisions with the ball and Joel had a great game," Clark said. "We have to clean things up and get better for February."Litchfield faces Camden-Frontier on Thursday, while Will Carleton is off until the Pat Patterson Tournament on Dec. 27.